| FROM NICE TO MENTON |
| LA BASSE CORNICHE |
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FROM NICE TO MENTON
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FROM NICE TO MENTON
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| Between Nice and Menton, the Alpes plunge abruptly into the sea. It is here between the sea and the mountain that this spectacular route, the Basse Cornich, was laid. Plans were drawn up in the 18th century by a Prince de Monaco and the work was finally achieved in 1857. The road follows the contours of the coastline and services all the seaside resorts of the Riviera. |
 FROM NICE TO MENTON
To See:
The Saint-Elme citadel, built at the end of the 16th century by the Duc de Savoie to protect the bay. It consists of an |
 FROM NICE TO MENTON
The Roux collection of ceramic figurines depicting scenes of the daily life in the Middle Ages and during the Renaissance
The Volti Museum exhibits numerous sculptures of female nudes by Volti, an artist from Villefranche
The Groetz-Boumeester Museum. Henri Groetz, born in New York in 1909, was one of the most important engravers of the 20th century. Both he and his artist wife, Christine Boumeester, left their collection to Villefranche. Apart from their engravings and paintings, you will also see works by Picasso, Picabia, Miro, and other famous painters.
Take a delightful stroll through the old town with its terraced streets and steps and coloured facades. Don’t miss the Saint Pierre chapel decorated by Jean Cocteau in 1957 and dedicated to Saint Pierre, Patron of Fishermen.
CAP-FERRAT. This almost-an-island covered with a mantle of vegetation is one of the most prestigeous sites of the Cote d’Azur. Dotted with luxurious villas hidden away in the pine forests, Cap-Ferrat has for many years, been frequented by well-known and illustrious people. Half of Cap-Ferrat belonged to the Belgium King, Leopold II. Listed among some of its past owners, is Baronne Ephrussi de Rothschild, Scott Fitzgerald, Somerset Maugham….and more recently Raymond Barre and Jean-Paul Belmondo.
To See:
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a dream house of rose and white, was baptised by Baronne ‘Villa Ile de France’ in memory of a cruise taken on an ocean liner of this name. Built in 1905 by the Baronne to house her collection of art which, in 1935, she bequeathed to the French Institute. This Italian palace looks over the sea and is framed by seven hectares of magnificent gardens.
From the top of Saint Hospice there is a wonderful view over Beaulieu, Eze and Monaco. A path winds up to a small chapel built on the site of the Saint Hospice cemetery and a tower constructed in 1706 to ward off the pirates and which later also served as a prison.
BEAULIEU SUR MER, so called the Pearl of the Cote d’Azur
Once frequented by the Crowned Heads, this charming seaside resort continues to be town full of splendour. Palaces, luxurious properties, gardens bordered by tall palms, luxury limousines and the Casino, brings to mind that you are in the heart of the Cote d’Azur. Hidden away in the middle of luxuriant vegetation, Beaulieu is very protected. It holds the record as being the hottest (as in sun!) town in France and in fact, one part of the town where there is an abundance of exotic vegetation, is called ‘little Africa’.
To See:
Kerilos, the Greek Villa. In 1902, Theodore Reinach, an archeologist with a great passion for Ancient Greece, constructed this imposing white villa on a site that reminded him of the banks of the Egee sea. Inspired by the houses built on the island of Delos, he used the most precious materials available for the construction of his villa– Carrara marble, incrusted exotic woods, alabaster.. In 1928 the villa was given to the French Institute and within you will see some authentic pieces such as mosaics, frescos, amphorae and treasures from the 1st and 6th century BC. The garden is truly Mediterranean - olive trees, pink lauriers…. – and offers a superb view over Cap-Ferrat, Cap d’Ail and the sea.
EZE BORD DE MER.
This small seaside resort is dominated by Eze - a village perched like an eagle’s nest on the summit of an imposing cliff. Access to this charming Provencal village is on foot by a small stone path polished by time and through a 14th century fortified entrance. Small stone streets, superbly restored stone houses, vaulted passageways, … await you - rock and habitations intermingle. Visit the exotic garden from where you will have a magnificent panoramic view over the sea and, if you are lucky enough to have a clear day, to Corsica.
LA PRINCIPAUTE DE MONACO.
Magical and prestigious, this small independent State plays a well-known international role. A Sovereign State of 1,90km2, it has its own government and the Head of State is Prince Rainier III. The ‘rock’ is fascinating with its palaces, casinos, operetta decors, Californian architecture and princely family. And if that’s not enough, there is a superb natural decor, skyscrapers built on land captured from the sea, magnificent gardens, luxury boutiques, tres chic hotels, beautiful cars and, the dangerous, hypnotic universe of playing for the big stakes. Monaco has also another side with numerous beautiful museums, a charming old town, cultural activities, internationally renown sporting events, and international business.
To See:
The rock, that is to say, the old village, plunges dramatically into the sea. A labyrinth of small streets lined with charming 18th century houses is the heart of the Principality. The Palace, built in the 17th century on an ancient Genoese fortress dating from the 13th century, is sumptuous: the gallery of mirrors, the throne room featuring a ceiling painted by Ferrari, huge apartments magnificently furnished, and the main courtyard, all of which will take your breath away. In one of the wings is the Museum of Napoleon’s souvenirs and a historic collection from the archives of the Palace. A must to see are the canons of Louis 14th at the Place du Palais and the Changing of the Guards which takes place every day at 11.55 on the dot.
Do visit the Oceanographic Museum, a majestic building created in 1910, overlooking the sea. The aquarium needs no explanation with 400 species of fish. Since 2000 one can visit the shark lagoon, a gigantic aquarium filled with the largest of predatory marine life. From the terrace you will have a view of the modern town, the Esterel and the Italian Riviera.
Not to be missed is the Cathedral built in 1875 which features a large altarpiece and a pieta created by Louis Brea. There is also a remarkable ensemble of nicois primitives. Don’t forget to take a look at the Chapelle de la Misericorde built in 1646 by the brotherhood of the Penitents Noirs, the Chapelle de la Visitation and Museum. This baroque chapel houses a magnificent collection of sacred art from the 17th century donated by Barbara Piasecka Johnson.
MONTE CARLO or the Universe of Gambling. The world famous Casino where fortunes are won or lost, is a vital part of society life of the Principality. Built in 1878, the facade has been used as a backdrop in many films. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and palms, the Casino consists of several buildings in which opera and theatre are played, including the famous Russian ballet. From the terrace there is a superb view over the sea. To the east of the Principality, are wonderful tourist facilities and seaside complexes as well as the Grimaldi Forum and the immense Palais des Congres which holds events and exhibitions.
You will discover several gardens around different themes:
The Exotic garden, immense and unusual, which features a collection of cacti coming from desert and semi-desert regions worldwide.
The Japanese garden created by the Japanese landscape gardener, Yasuo Beppu. Over 7000m2 planted with bonsai.
The Saint-Martin gardens filled with rich Mediterranean fragrances and shaded paths
The landscaped park of 4 hectares planted with vegetation collected from all over the world and a magnificent rose garden with 150 different varieties.
MENTON – town of lemons
Against a background of wooded slopes, cultivated with citrus fruits and olive trees, Menton is situated at the extreme southern end of France close to the Italian border. Its exceptional sunny and semi sub-tropical climate is perfect for the cultivation of lemons, oranges, palms and Mimosa. Its frost-free climate allows the gardeners to give rein to their imagination when creating gardens. Their efforts have not been in vain as Menton has been awarded First prize, five times, for the most beautiful flower garden in the town. But apart from being a garden town it is also a seaside resort.
Ancient property of the Grimaldi, a holiday place for Royalty, the aristocracy and the privileged, Menton has maintained a few beautiful and luxurious buildings.
To See:
The old town with its beautiful old facades, a few featuring trompe l’śil, flights of steps and pebbled mosaics. The Basilique Saint Michel Archange, the largest baroque church in the region, with its 15th century tower, the campanile with glazed tiles from the 17th century and the larger campanile which was added at the beginning of the 18th century. Inside you will see a beautiful altarpiece signed Puppo and organ chest dating from the 17th century. In 1757 Honore III of Monaco was married in this beautiful church. Of interest is the Chapelle de la Conception dated 1689. The cemetery of the old chateau, occupies the site of the ancient château. At the southern point of the English cemetery there is a superb view over the old town, the sea and the Italian coastline.
Outside the old town you will find the 17th century Musee des Beaux-Arts, which was once the summer residence of the Monaco princes. Today it exhibits mainly religious paintings by French, Italian and Flemish artists. The ground floor is consecrated to exhibitions of contemporary art. The Musee Jean Cocteau, a bastion dating from the 17th century, was transformed under the direction of Jean Lezard. The "l’Age du Verseau" (The Age of Aquarius) tapestry was loomed in the Gobelin’s ateliers. Visit the Marriage Ceremony room in the Hotel de Ville decorated by Jean Cocteau. The regional Musee de Prehistoire is mainly based on research carried out by Bonfils, a Mentonnais naturalist in the 19th century. It also includes Mentonnaise history, art and traditions.
The gardens of Menton.
The Bioves garden is a beautiful garden planted with citrus fruits, dotted with fountains and statues including the Goddess of Golden Fruits by Volti.
The Garden of Romanciers (the Fontana Rose villa) was created in 1921 by Vicente Blasco Ibanex, a Romanticist. A charming, very Spanish garden with pools, seats covered in coloured ceramic and a porch ornate with ceramics representing famous names in Spanish literature.
Val Rameh is a tropical garden created in 1930 by the passionate English.
The Maria Serena garden is planted with species of palms
Serre de la Madone is a landscape of magnificent huge trees planted in the 20’s and 30’s. |
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